NZ to chip in $1m for Queen's Jubilee fund

New Zealand will put $1 million towards a Commonwealth countries fund, set up to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, which is being chaired by former British PM Sir John Major, was set up to celebrate the anniversary, and will be used to help develop the poorer Commonwealth countries.

Prime Minister John Key announced today that New Zealand would contribute $1 million towards the fund, for which he said he was sure there were many good causes.

"There are many emerging Commonwealth countries that are in real need, so I think there are lots of projects, whether it's housing or water, farmland and irrigation, it's all about building sustainability in those countries," he said.

Sir Don McKinnon has been appointed to promote the trust in New Zealand.